Questions on North Korea-Cuba Deal

Purpose of Weapons Shipment Seized in Panama Remains Unclear, as U.S. Plays Down Significance

By

José de Córdoba,

Alastair Gale and

Julian E. Barnes

Updated July 17, 2013 8:04 p.m. ET

The foiled attempt to smuggle Soviet-era weapons to North Korea from Cuba through the Panama Canal continues to puzzle officials, who question whether the purpose of the shipment was to have the weapons repaired in North Korea and then returned to Cuba, as Havana claims.

Cuba said it was attempting to send missile and radar parts, along with two MiG-21 Bis jets and jet motors, to North Korea for repair and eventual return so the...